The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1887-08-04

A sroHY on 4 nv ",rmL roofs I"

March. after holding high earnivs
through the whole OF bis tempestuori
carsss. bad surrendered his scp.re with
one dsspsiring howl. and April bad en-
tered upon the scene. bathed 10 sesrs
without . snile Of greeting for the dear
old ess b she bad LET, year ago.
The streets OF the village were nearly
deserted. and Rodney Msrston sat alone
ia the Office Of MArston a Marston. Pres
emily tho Office boy came in with note.
II Was directed 10 H. Nafstop, Esq.
Does that mean me or Uncle Rogersy
said tho youpg man TO himself. Il will
open it anyway; it's probably on business. .
The note was not very business.like 10
iss appearance; neither was the thick.
creamy note paper on which these words
vsrs written:
"Miss Barton wishes 10 see Mr.. Nsrs-
toa immsdislsly on important business. !"
Rodney Looked u The note thous htfally.
The senior member Of The Arm bad gone
70 the city that morning. and would re-
turn by the late train. 1t was necesfri
that somebody should attend to tLi,
affair, and Rodney, with oil the srdor Of
young bsrrister, resolved TO answer the
summons The firm of Msrston a Mars
ston was youthful one. II was only
few weeks before that the we'll known
sign. Roger Msrston. Attorney at Law. ,
had been replaced by smart new one,
indicating q partnership between uncle
and nephew.
Ned" said be- "where does Miss Bar
ton live?"
"A little out Of the village 10 . two story
white house. on the rosd that goes by the
Bsptist church. replied the boy.
"Oh. yes. ! know" said young Marston.
hastily. "Wsll. l sm obliged to go up
there and IL soybody comes-they'll not
like 10 on such . night as this tell them
to wait"
IAN right. SIR said the boy.
Its . rough night" muttered the
young man. ~ after donning rubber boots
and ovsrcost, aud srmins himself with .
hinge umbrella, be stepped out into the
wind and rain; "but professional men
must brave all kinds Of weather. The
consciousness that he belonged to that i'll
used fraternity gave him the exalted sense
OF misery unattsinable by common NOR
tale. Halt an hour after. dripping, for
lorn. looking figure presented itself at the
two story house and rang the bell vigor-
ously. No answer. Another peal follow
cd. Presently the door WAS opened care
fully few inches, and one eye belonging
TO half human face peeped timidly out.
rs Miss Barton in?" inquired Rodney.
"Ys-yes, sir" replied . quaking voice.
"but she can't see any body tonight
Il think she will see me. however. " said
Marston. gaining confidence as he scented
. possible mystery. "Please inform her
that Mr.. Msrston, the attorney. awaits her
pleasure"
"What does this mean, Marths?" said
fresh pleasant voice from within. "Let
the gentleman in, whoever he is"
Martha obeyed and covered back in the
shadow Of the ball as il she expected moth.
log short Of instant assassination. Mars
ton gave little heed to her. however, for
standing in the full light Of the hall lamp
wN dainty girlish figure, with the sweet.
est, msrriest face that be had ever seen.
"You must excuse our girl; she's per-
iect coward. Come in, sir" sid the
young lady.
Thank you; Is soon Is / have made
myself presentabls," be replied, removing
bis dripping outer garments. Then be
yrs ushered into cosy sitting room where
. bright Hre seemed to offer laughing
challenge to the April storm. my name
is Marston," be began. bowing Pardon
me. but do not address Miss Barton"
half questiouiugly.
II am Mise Barton, replied the girl,
with IN assumption OF dignity. Now Rod
uey had hastily formed the idea, while
wsding through the mud to her house,
that Miss Barton was 40 elderly spinster.
The bright vision, with the laughing.
brown eyes. somewhat confounded him.
II am Miss Barton. she said again. after
moment. '.But the one you probably
wish 10 see Is my aunt. Miss Cornelia Bar
ton. am sorry she is not st homel'
mot 1t homel" be repeated little stu
pidly. II received 50 urgent summons
10 come up here and see her. This NJ 10
was handed To me not sn hour ago, be
explained. giving it to her. ! think it
was intended for my uncle. but he is sb-
sent and l took the liberty"--he stopped
Tor the brown eyes we're dancing with
uirth.
''Mr. MArston." she said. did you hap
pen 70 look at your calendar before you
ssartedf"
He struck his fsrehesd with . spirit OF
recollection. april lstl how stupid 10
me 10 forget IL when they have been play
ing their stalls jokes sll day. on the street
and 10 my Office" The touch Of vanity
displayed in the way be said my Office
vas delightful. Il beg thousand par
dons for disturbing you" be added, still
yet unwilling TO 60.
'.PleAse be sessed few minutes. said
the young lady politely. III cannot rain
like this very long. Iiyou are Mr.. Rod
nsy Naston. ieel almost acquainted with
you." she continued. "baving so often
beard my brother viii speak Of you" |,
"Will Barton' Ny chum At collegef
I never dreamed that be had relatives
here. Then you must be bis pet sister be
used 70 talk about 30 much, said Rodney,
delighted.